The $400 million item in the procurement document caused a stir. Since then, Trump officials have not answered why the State Department appeared to be taking steps to pursue an acquisition of electric vehicles from Tesla, with the company's stainless steel Cybertruck likely being the most suitable option for an armored vehicle. The proposed purchase amount would likely exceed what the entire federal government would spend on electric vehicles in 2025.
The prospect of such a purchase also puzzled security professionals who work with the State Department.
"I can't imagine why the government would ever put dignitaries in a Cybertruck," said
, an armored-car expert who does work with the State Department. "Compared to the other armored-car companies out there, it just wouldn't make any sense."